EVs are gaining momentum. But the current policy path entrenches car dependence and commits us to unrealistic, unjust and unsustainable levels of mining. Can we shape a better future with less mining?
Dear Nick - thoughtful as always. I'd like to suggest 3 things.
1 You start your articles by recognising that 8 billion people is about 7 billion too many, and we need to prioritise getting the birth rate under replacement, and limiting immigration of countries with falling populations, like Canada, to under replacement. A falling population, however gently, changes everything, by halting housing starts, and growth. Stopping growth is primary, and growth starts with population. I think you are going here with trying to change from a consumption culture, and both avenues are good. But population is the main driver.
2 This isn't an increase in mining, it is a potential switch from extracting oil to burn, to mining minerals which can be re-used. I think you're backing into the false message of the German politician, and I don't like that you platformed his bad trope. I'm glad you are noting human rights abuses, but they are not a reason to not switch from fossil fuels to EV cars. Qatar, Russia and Saudi Arabia are just as bad as mining companies. Let's starve Putin, so we can confront Teck at home.
It is interesting, that the elites are starting to jump ship, and switch from one resource they can dominate to another, but renewable energy is different. Big wind farms are bad, but I live off grid and get all my power from wind and sun. I have enough to charge an EV car. Most of my batteries are lead carbon, which are readily available and recyclable. Everyone could do this.
3 I highly recommend not getting too caught up in the details like "how much lithium do we think we need". How much oil are we already using? Nobody thought to care.
The only thing that matters, is stopping clearcutting and burning fossil fuels, and trying to get the population to adopt local, resilient technology, like insulation and solar power. The fossil fuel companies are circulating propaganda against renewables. That's who fed the German politician, an LNG lobbyist. We shouldn't be amplifying their message.
IN SHORT: Mining abuses are bad, but population reduction and switching from fossil fuels to solar power are good. We can strive for all of the things we want at once.
Dear Nick - thoughtful as always. I'd like to suggest 3 things.
1 You start your articles by recognising that 8 billion people is about 7 billion too many, and we need to prioritise getting the birth rate under replacement, and limiting immigration of countries with falling populations, like Canada, to under replacement. A falling population, however gently, changes everything, by halting housing starts, and growth. Stopping growth is primary, and growth starts with population. I think you are going here with trying to change from a consumption culture, and both avenues are good. But population is the main driver.
2 This isn't an increase in mining, it is a potential switch from extracting oil to burn, to mining minerals which can be re-used. I think you're backing into the false message of the German politician, and I don't like that you platformed his bad trope. I'm glad you are noting human rights abuses, but they are not a reason to not switch from fossil fuels to EV cars. Qatar, Russia and Saudi Arabia are just as bad as mining companies. Let's starve Putin, so we can confront Teck at home.
It is interesting, that the elites are starting to jump ship, and switch from one resource they can dominate to another, but renewable energy is different. Big wind farms are bad, but I live off grid and get all my power from wind and sun. I have enough to charge an EV car. Most of my batteries are lead carbon, which are readily available and recyclable. Everyone could do this.
3 I highly recommend not getting too caught up in the details like "how much lithium do we think we need". How much oil are we already using? Nobody thought to care.
The only thing that matters, is stopping clearcutting and burning fossil fuels, and trying to get the population to adopt local, resilient technology, like insulation and solar power. The fossil fuel companies are circulating propaganda against renewables. That's who fed the German politician, an LNG lobbyist. We shouldn't be amplifying their message.
IN SHORT: Mining abuses are bad, but population reduction and switching from fossil fuels to solar power are good. We can strive for all of the things we want at once.
peace
Dear Nick we can’t all get electric cars.